T-Series wants to turn `Bhootnath`, `Aashiqui` into franchise

T-Series wants to turn `Bhootnath`, `Aashiqui` into franchise
Mumbai: With the trend of sequels getting popular in Bollywood, producer Bhushan Kumar has expressed his desire to turn `Aashiqui` and `Bhootnath` into franchise.

Kumar wants to take ahead three projects as a franchise, including `Aashiqui`, a romantic saga which recently had a hit sequel `Aashiqui 2`, ghost comedy `Bhootnath` and the yet to be released 3D horror movie `Creature`.

"These days franchises are a click with the audience, like the way Bhatt`s have taken the franchise of `Murder`, `Raaz`, etc ahead. This pattern is followed in Hollywood. We would like to turn these three films into a brand and make their third and fourth instalment provided audience is ready to accept it," Kumar told PTI.

"If we get a good response to `Bhootnath 2` and `Creature`, we would surely go ahead and make the next part. For us the acceptance of audience is important, we won`t keep making sequel after sequel just for the heck of it," he added.

In 2008 Ravi Chopra produced film `Bhootnath`, where megastar Amitabh Bachchan played a friendly ghost. The sequel will be produced by BR Films and Bhushan Kumar of T-Series.

"We are quite excited about making `Bhootnath 2`. It is a good franchise and we would definitely like to take it ahead. We would like to make third and fourth instalment as well. The basic premise of the film will remain same, the ups and downs and the hilarious moments between Mr Bachchan and the kid," Kumar said.

The original film starred Bachchan, Juhi Chawla, Shahrukh Khan, Aman Siddiqui as `Banku`, Priyanshu Chatterjee and Rajpal Yadav.
The second instalment, to be directed by `Chillar Party` (2011) co-director Nitesh Tiwari, will again have Bachchan reprising his role. The addition will be Boman Irani and a new child, who is yet to be cast.

The film will go on floors in October and will release in April next year. It is learnt that this time, the budget is going to be over Rs 30 crore. The first part was reportedly made on a budget of Rs 20 crore. Meanwhile `Aashiqui 2`, directed by Mohit Suri and co-produced by Bhatts` Vishesh Films and Bhushan Kumar, has reportedly earned over Rs 100 crore at the box office since its release.

"The audience loved `Aashiqui 2`. We are happy we could bring back the time of romance in Bollywood. We do have a plan to make `Aashiqui 3` but that would be after two-three years. We want to take the brand ahead," Bhushan said.

Kumar also wants to take ahead Vikram Bhatt horror thriller `Creature`, starring Bipasha Basu in the lead. The film is said to be on the lines of `Jurassic Park`.

`Creature` is set in a menacing forest that will house certain humongous and dangerous creatures. However, Kumar refused to divulge any further details about the project.

"Even this film has an interesting story line and a concept to be taken ahead and made again," Kumar said.